Supertankers begin exiting Gulf after ceasefire, signaling cautious recovery in oil flows

Global oil markets are showing early signs of recovery after a fragile ceasefire between United States and Iran triggered the first movement of supertankers out of the Gulf in weeks, according to shipping and analytics data.

Three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) were tracked exiting the region through alternative navigation routes, marking a significant development following weeks of disruption caused by heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. 

The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, handling roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

The tankers — Serifos, Cospearl Lake, and He Rong Hai — navigated via a controlled passage designed to reduce exposure to risk zones near Iran’s Larak Island. 

Each vessel is capable of transporting up to two million barrels of crude oil, underscoring the scale of cargo now beginning to move after weeks of stagnation.

Shipping data indicates that Serifos, a Liberia-flagged tanker chartered by Thailand’s state-owned energy company PTT Public Company Limited, is en route to Malaysia.

The vessel had previously loaded crude from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in early March and is expected to reach its destination later this month.

Meanwhile, Cospearl Lake, carrying Iraqi crude, is heading toward eastern China, with arrival projections indicating early May. 

The third vessel, He Rong Hai, also loaded with Saudi oil, has yet to publicly confirm its final discharge port.

Both Chinese-linked tankers are associated with Sinopec, one of the world’s largest energy trading firms. Their participation highlights Asia’s continued reliance on Middle Eastern oil supplies and the urgency of restoring stable shipping routes.

Despite this progress, hundreds of vessels remain stranded within the Gulf, awaiting clearance or safe passage during the temporary two-week ceasefire window. 

Analysts caution that while the movement of a few tankers is encouraging, it does not yet signal a full return to normal operations.

At the same time, new vessels are cautiously entering the region to load crude. Among them are tankers such as Agios Fanourios I, which is reportedly heading to Iraq to lift Basrah crude destined for Vietnam. 

Others, including Mombasa B and Shalamar, are also navigating the strait, indicating a gradual resumption of trade flows.

The disruption, which began in late February amid escalating conflict, sent oil prices sharply higher and raised concerns about global supply security. 

The temporary blockade of the Strait of Hormuz exposed the vulnerability of energy markets to geopolitical shocks, particularly in regions heavily dependent on imported oil.

Industry observers note that the coming days will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire holds and whether shipping confidence can be fully restored. 

Any renewed tensions could quickly reverse gains and trigger fresh volatility in global oil prices.